Consistency is the key to shooting the best arrow groups from your hunting crossbow. By developing a consistent crossbow shooting routine, you will help to make yourself a safer hunter and you will likely become a better shot!

Tip #1: Check your crossbow bolts prior to shooting.

You should ALWAYS check your crossbow bolts for cracks, dents, or damage prior to shooting them. Inspect carbon crossbow bolts for small cracks, as firing a damaged carbon bolt can cause it to shatter, potentially causing serious injury to you. Aluminum crossbow bolts can become dented or bent, which can cause them to fly in an unintended direction, leading to damage or serious injury. Crossbow nocks can also be damaged from shooting and you should make inspecting the nock on your crossbow bolts for damage and proper indexing part of your regular shooting routine. Finally, spin your bolts after screwing in your practice points to check for bent ferrules, inserts, nocks, or shafts. If you find any bolts that wobble when you spin them, set them aside and later determine which part of the arrow is not straight and replace that part, if possible.

Tip #2: Prepare your crossbow for shooting.

Proper maintenance of your crossbow is essential for accuracy, safety, and reliability. Reference your crossbow manufacturer’s owner’s manual for proper maintenance procedures. Depending on how often you shoot your hunting crossbow, you may need to check the screws, nuts, and bolts periodically for tightness. Perform a visual inspection of the condition of the string and cables and apply string wax and conditioner to them if they appear dry. Also, apply the appropriate amount of lubricant to the flight rail before taking your first shot and don’t forget to reapply during your shooting session, as needed.

Tip #3: Know and understand how to properly use your cocking device.

Since there are many steps involved with the cocking, loading, and firing of a crossbow, you should develop a routine that you practice and maintain every time you cock and shoot it. Familiarize yourself with the correct method for using your cocking device and follow this method every time. Not only will this help you avoid future cocking problems in the field, but it will also help to ensure that the string latch engages the string in a consistent fashion every time, which is necessary to achieve a high degree of accuracy. If you currently cock your hunting crossbow by hand, you may want to consider investing in a rope cocker or a mountable cocking device for consistency.

Tip #4: Learn how to safely load a bolt into your crossbow.

When loading a crossbow bolt, hold it towards the front, near the field point or broadhead, with your index and middle fingers and your thumb. Grasping the bolt in this position keeps your fingers away from the path of the bowstring. Insert one of the vanes into the barrel’s flight groove and slide the nock end of the bolt under the arrow retention spring or brush, lowering the front of the bolt into the barrel’s groove. Continue sliding the bolt shaft into the trigger box’s string slot until you feel the nock stop against the bowstring. If possible, visually inspect the nock and bowstring for proper contact. For crossbow bolt loading instructions and safety information specific to your model, consult the manufacturer’s owner’s manual for the crossbow. 

Tip #5: Practice a regular breathing and trigger pull routine. 

Practicing a regular breathing routine is essential to achieving a high degree of accuracy because your body naturally moves when you are inhaling or exhaling. Your body’s natural movement can be enough to move your crossbow, causing your shot to be errant. Proper breathing helps you to hold your hunting crossbow steady when aiming for the shot and helps you to maintain the best sight picture throughout. 

When focusing on your trigger pull, apply slow and steady pressure to the trigger until your hunting crossbow fires. Jerking the trigger in anticipation of the shot will likely cause you to move the crossbow out of position just before it fires, resulting in a poor shot. 

Tip #6: Follow Through: Watch your arrow hit the target through the scope.

After you pull the trigger and the string launches the arrow from your hunting crossbow, your shooting routine is not finished. After your crossbow fires, do not immediate lift your head from the scope or move your crossbow. Concentrate on maintaining your sight picture and watching the arrow hit your intended target through the scope. Maintaining your shooting position and properly following through with the shot prevents you from moving your crossbow before the arrow has left the flight rail and will help to improve your accuracy. 

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